MIGHTY BLOWS

Real Madrid and Barcelona, both suffered shock losses in La Liga on Wednesday against Sevilla and Leganes respectively, thus failing to seize an opportunity to take sole lead. HT looks where the two faltered:

GAMBLE GONE WRONG Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverade had rested both Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez in their away game against Leganes.

The gamble didn’t seem too risky to take as the opposition had earned just one point in their last five clashes.

However, he was forced to bring on the duo but as it turned out, it was too late. REAL MISS OPPORTUNITY

With Barcelona losing 2-1, Real were offered a golden chance to go top of table with a win at Sevilla but they failed in a tragic manner — the hosts scoring thrice in the first half — as they lost for the sixth time in seven league visits to the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium. MORE TROUBLE

If the loss wasn’t bad enough for Real, they are due to face Atletico Madrid next on Saturday.

And although they’ll be at home, Atletico have not lost at the Santiago Bernabeau since December 2012.

Real will also be without Marcelo who limped off after hurting his calf in the tie against Sevilla and Isco, who underwent a surgery this week. POOR PIQUE

It hasn’t been a great season for the veteran Pique who has been responsible for conceding goals in the last two games against Leganes and Girona.

Overall defensively as well, Barcelona have fallen behind five times this season with their attackers responsible of pulling them back and earn points.